This is one of my favorite songs to run to:
I've only seen the first Rocky film, but I need to see all the others. I loved the first Rocky film.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Carbing Up
Before every race I carb up the night before with either spaghetti or a baked potato and then the morning of my race I have a couple of pieces of toast with peanut butter and my energy beans.
Well, I think my family is getting tired of having spaghetti or a baked potato. Well, for my race tomorrow, my dad had a genius idea for a meal for me to carb up with and I can't tell you how excited I am!
My dad is going to be making homemade mac & cheese for dinner!!!! I'm so freakin' excited!!! I LOVE mac & cheese. I always have, I always will. I could eat it every day. I can't remember the last time I had homemade mac & cheese.
I'll get the carbs from the pasta and I'll even get protein from the milk and cheese. I'm so excited!!! Yay!!!
Well, I think my family is getting tired of having spaghetti or a baked potato. Well, for my race tomorrow, my dad had a genius idea for a meal for me to carb up with and I can't tell you how excited I am!
My dad is going to be making homemade mac & cheese for dinner!!!! I'm so freakin' excited!!! I LOVE mac & cheese. I always have, I always will. I could eat it every day. I can't remember the last time I had homemade mac & cheese.
I'll get the carbs from the pasta and I'll even get protein from the milk and cheese. I'm so excited!!! Yay!!!
Time/Pace Issues
I'm having serious timing issues. It's quite frustrating.
I used to be able to run between a 9:30 - 9:40 mile and now it's all the way down to an 11:00 mile. I don't understand why I've slowed down so much. I can understand not running as fast as soon as I get done with a 25 - 30 mile bike ride. My legs are tired. I can understand that, but this last Wednesday I went for a 4 mile run and it took me 44 minutes. :(
I haven't been working with my personal trainer lately, but we're going to start working together again. He says that I might have plateau'd. I trust what he says. I really do. He is like a super athlete. I dream of being as good as he is. One day I will be as good as he is, so I know he knows what he's talking about, but I just don't understand it.
When I think of plateau'ing, I think of staying the same time and not improving, not decreasing my time. Does that make sense?
My personal trainer also says that I may be over training. That is a slight possibility. I told my trainer that at one time, I will admit it, yes I was overtraining. But, I've learned my lesson from that. My body was rebelling against me. BAD! So, I've cut back quite drastically on my overtraining and have stuck with the last workout that he sent me. The only thing I do differently is I always run 4 miles a day, even though he says on a couple of days to run 3 miles (I'm going to try that next week) and I swim every day (I'm going to try cutting down on that next week too).
I'm suffering with my swimming too. I swam 1000 yards this morning and it took me 24 minutes. It should only take me 20 - 21 minutes. :( I'm very frustrated because I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'm doing everything that my personal trainer has taught me to do.
I have started doing weights again, so that should help with my timing, but I haven't seen the difference quite yet. I've definitely seen the difference in my biking, but not my running and swimming yet. Maybe this next week I will.
I just can't wait to start training with my personal trainer again.
I used to be able to run between a 9:30 - 9:40 mile and now it's all the way down to an 11:00 mile. I don't understand why I've slowed down so much. I can understand not running as fast as soon as I get done with a 25 - 30 mile bike ride. My legs are tired. I can understand that, but this last Wednesday I went for a 4 mile run and it took me 44 minutes. :(
I haven't been working with my personal trainer lately, but we're going to start working together again. He says that I might have plateau'd. I trust what he says. I really do. He is like a super athlete. I dream of being as good as he is. One day I will be as good as he is, so I know he knows what he's talking about, but I just don't understand it.
When I think of plateau'ing, I think of staying the same time and not improving, not decreasing my time. Does that make sense?
My personal trainer also says that I may be over training. That is a slight possibility. I told my trainer that at one time, I will admit it, yes I was overtraining. But, I've learned my lesson from that. My body was rebelling against me. BAD! So, I've cut back quite drastically on my overtraining and have stuck with the last workout that he sent me. The only thing I do differently is I always run 4 miles a day, even though he says on a couple of days to run 3 miles (I'm going to try that next week) and I swim every day (I'm going to try cutting down on that next week too).
I'm suffering with my swimming too. I swam 1000 yards this morning and it took me 24 minutes. It should only take me 20 - 21 minutes. :( I'm very frustrated because I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'm doing everything that my personal trainer has taught me to do.
I have started doing weights again, so that should help with my timing, but I haven't seen the difference quite yet. I've definitely seen the difference in my biking, but not my running and swimming yet. Maybe this next week I will.
I just can't wait to start training with my personal trainer again.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Legacy 1/2 Marathon & Tour de Donut
Last weekend was an AWESOME weekend. Last Friday night I got to do my first race with my friend Christy G. We were actually supposed to do the Canyonlands 1/2 Marathon in March together, but I got shin splints really bad and wasn't able to run it, so this was our first race together.
It started out Friday night at 10:00 p.m. when we did the Legacy Midnight 1/2 Marathon together. It was a fun race. My final time was 2:20:54. I wish I could've been faster, but considering I hadn't trained at all the week before because I had been sick, I figure that's a pretty good time.
It was actually a pretty easy run for me. I was surprised. I kept a good pace while running it. I actually felt kind of cool because at around mile 7, this couple used me as their pacer for a little bit. :D
Around mile 6 I had to go to the bathroom REALLY bad. But there was NO way I was going to stop at one of the aid stations to use the porta potty (for a couple of reasons). It's dark in the porta potties AND, I didn't want to waste time. Also, for some reason, around mile 3, my hip started to hurt. That's never happened before. I found it kind of odd. But, because of that, I found a new mantra to run to that helps keep pace. It is "No pain, no gain" and you take a step for each "no pain" and a step for each "no gain".
My dad was at mile 7 to cheer me on and then he was at the finish line ringing the cowbell to keep pushing me.
One of the down sides of the race...they only had HOT water at the aid stations. Seriously. My boss who ran the race as well overheard one of the volunteers say that the water jugs had been sitting at the aid stations since about Noon that day!!! WTF?
Then at the finish line, they had run out or misplaced the finishers medals. The race seemed pretty disorganized. I wasn't too pleased.
Oh well, the race is over. I still had fun.
Now, after 4 hours of sleep, I got up and drove out to Sandy and met my boss and we met up with Christy & her uncle James in American Fork and did the Tour de Donut!
OMG...the Tour de Donut is SO much fun!!! I am going to make it a yearly tradition. It's a charity ride. You ride a 7 mile loop on your bike. Stop, eat as many donuts as you can, repeat the 7 mile loop, eat as many donuts as you can and then ride the 7 mile loop to the finish line. For each donut you eat, 3 minutes is taken off of your final time.
It was awesome because at first, they did a silent ride for any bike riders hurt or killed while on their bike. Then the race started. It was super easy. It was a flat course.
Christy & James took off and me & Sylvia were just taking it easy. We finished the first 7 miles and Christy ate 4 donuts and James at 5 donuts. Sylvia and I ate 1 donut. Lol. On the first 7 miles I almots wiped out on a gravel gutter. That was no fun.
On the second loop, I decided to eat 2 donuts. I had to literally choke down the 2nd donut. It was just SO sweet and riding after eating donuts...no bueno. Sylvia only ate 1 donut, James could only eat 1 donut and Christy ate 2 donuts.
There was one guy there who ate 18 donuts!!! OMG, I would've barfed!!! It was SO fun though. If I hadn't done a 1/2 marathon the night before, I would have totally gone "balls to the walls" and rode as hard and fast as I could and I easily could've eaten probably a dozen donuts (you're talking to a former fat girl here).
After the race was over, then some of the race officials were walking around handing out chocolate caked donuts. I thought I'd barf at the site of another donut, but James, he was awesome! He grabbed one and ate it!
It was such a fun race! I so can't wait to do it again next year.
It started out Friday night at 10:00 p.m. when we did the Legacy Midnight 1/2 Marathon together. It was a fun race. My final time was 2:20:54. I wish I could've been faster, but considering I hadn't trained at all the week before because I had been sick, I figure that's a pretty good time.
It was actually a pretty easy run for me. I was surprised. I kept a good pace while running it. I actually felt kind of cool because at around mile 7, this couple used me as their pacer for a little bit. :D
Around mile 6 I had to go to the bathroom REALLY bad. But there was NO way I was going to stop at one of the aid stations to use the porta potty (for a couple of reasons). It's dark in the porta potties AND, I didn't want to waste time. Also, for some reason, around mile 3, my hip started to hurt. That's never happened before. I found it kind of odd. But, because of that, I found a new mantra to run to that helps keep pace. It is "No pain, no gain" and you take a step for each "no pain" and a step for each "no gain".
My dad was at mile 7 to cheer me on and then he was at the finish line ringing the cowbell to keep pushing me.
One of the down sides of the race...they only had HOT water at the aid stations. Seriously. My boss who ran the race as well overheard one of the volunteers say that the water jugs had been sitting at the aid stations since about Noon that day!!! WTF?
Then at the finish line, they had run out or misplaced the finishers medals. The race seemed pretty disorganized. I wasn't too pleased.
Oh well, the race is over. I still had fun.
Now, after 4 hours of sleep, I got up and drove out to Sandy and met my boss and we met up with Christy & her uncle James in American Fork and did the Tour de Donut!
OMG...the Tour de Donut is SO much fun!!! I am going to make it a yearly tradition. It's a charity ride. You ride a 7 mile loop on your bike. Stop, eat as many donuts as you can, repeat the 7 mile loop, eat as many donuts as you can and then ride the 7 mile loop to the finish line. For each donut you eat, 3 minutes is taken off of your final time.
It was awesome because at first, they did a silent ride for any bike riders hurt or killed while on their bike. Then the race started. It was super easy. It was a flat course.
Christy & James took off and me & Sylvia were just taking it easy. We finished the first 7 miles and Christy ate 4 donuts and James at 5 donuts. Sylvia and I ate 1 donut. Lol. On the first 7 miles I almots wiped out on a gravel gutter. That was no fun.
On the second loop, I decided to eat 2 donuts. I had to literally choke down the 2nd donut. It was just SO sweet and riding after eating donuts...no bueno. Sylvia only ate 1 donut, James could only eat 1 donut and Christy ate 2 donuts.
There was one guy there who ate 18 donuts!!! OMG, I would've barfed!!! It was SO fun though. If I hadn't done a 1/2 marathon the night before, I would have totally gone "balls to the walls" and rode as hard and fast as I could and I easily could've eaten probably a dozen donuts (you're talking to a former fat girl here).
After the race was over, then some of the race officials were walking around handing out chocolate caked donuts. I thought I'd barf at the site of another donut, but James, he was awesome! He grabbed one and ate it!
It was such a fun race! I so can't wait to do it again next year.
Finally Went Open Water Swimming
I finally went open water swimming. It was scary at first. I'm not gonna lie. My dad went with me. I was supposed to go camping this weekend up at Jordanelle, but I ended up not being able to camp and I had already rented my wetsuit. This time I wasn't going to NOT use my wetsuit.
So, this morning, me and my dad went up to Jordanelle and I went open water swimming. At first I was VERY hesitant. I didn't know what to expect or anything like that.
Slowly I went farther and farther out in the water so that I was just treading water and then I just turned on to my belly and swam out to the booey.
The first time I swam out towards the booey (about 50 yds), I only swam about 1/2 way out. I had alot of trouble with my breathing and I could feel my body trying to panic, but then with each time I swam out towards the booey, I went a little farther and I got a little more comfortable being in the water.
The last time I swam out to the booey, I actually decided to swim beyond the booey. I only swam about 10 yds beyond the booey, but still, 10 yds is 10 yds, you know? On that last swim, I was actually starting to feel pretty comfortable in the water, but it was time to go. :(
I can't wait to go back up & swim again so I can get even more comfortable. The next time will probably be the day before my triathlon though.
Friday, July 22, 2011
You Might Be A Runner If...
My local running store, Salt Lake Running Co, posted this on their blog and I found it VERY true and pretty funny, so I thought I'd share it with you guys.
You Might Be a Runner If...
If you know you actually have two shoe sizes.
If you wish all your pants, shorts, skirts had a soft liner so you could go commando everyday.
If you use words like hydration, chafe, wick, race pace in everyday conversation.
If your legs are really tan, but your feet are super white.
If you put more miles on your running shoes in a week than you do on your car.
If you refrain from getting pedicures for fear the lady giving it might pass out at the sight of your feet.
If you shoot snot rockets with gusto and rejoice when you don’t have anything on your face after.
If you use the words “easy,” “run” and a 2-digit number in the same sentence.
If you know a ‘fartlek’ isn’t an insult.
If you are totally comfortable wearing shorts that are entirely too short for your gender.
You planned your wedding around your Summer race schedule.
If your calves are bigger than your biceps.
If you are willing to dig through the smelly dirty clothes hamper to find your favorite running shirt.
If when traveling, your suitcase is full with running stuff before you even start packing regular clothes.
If you have a shirt that says “Stop Pre”.
If your drawers are filed with more race shirts than regular shirts. Most of which you have never worn, and probably will never wear, but you keep them anyway.
If you have left socks and right socks.
If you drink more water than anyone you know and still have yellow pee.
If your cupboards are filled with gu, electrolyte supplements, protein shake mix and hundreds of water bottles.
If you have spare gels in every bag you own.
If you know charity “Fun Runs” are actually fun.
If you know 1, 3, and 5-mile routes from your house and work in every direction.
If you check the weather hoping it will rain on your run.
If you can eat an entire loaf of bread and not feel bad about it.
If you think it is appropriate to stretch in public places.
If you have diamond cut calves.
If ‘google maps’ or ‘map my run’ is bookmarked on your computer.
If you can’t wait to share your run stats with someone when you get done.
If you shave your legs, and you are a man.
If you know your running shoes are worn out, even if they look brand new.
If you talk to your bowels encouraging them to do their ‘thing’ before your run! -Lesli
If sleeping in on a Saturday is anything past 6:30.-Asa
If when boys get your number they save your name in their phone as “manda runner.” Yeah, NBD. -Amanda
If you judge others by their shoes instead of their clothes.-Dan
If one of your favorite things about going out of town is running someplace new! -Tanya
If you have more shoes than your wife… and you have lost ALL of your toenails ~ Scott
If you are afraid to eat dairy products because you have a long run tomorrow. -Rendi
You Might Be a Runner If...
If you know you actually have two shoe sizes.
If you wish all your pants, shorts, skirts had a soft liner so you could go commando everyday.
If you use words like hydration, chafe, wick, race pace in everyday conversation.
If your legs are really tan, but your feet are super white.
If you put more miles on your running shoes in a week than you do on your car.
If you refrain from getting pedicures for fear the lady giving it might pass out at the sight of your feet.
If you shoot snot rockets with gusto and rejoice when you don’t have anything on your face after.
If you use the words “easy,” “run” and a 2-digit number in the same sentence.
If you know a ‘fartlek’ isn’t an insult.
If you are totally comfortable wearing shorts that are entirely too short for your gender.
You planned your wedding around your Summer race schedule.
If your calves are bigger than your biceps.
If you are willing to dig through the smelly dirty clothes hamper to find your favorite running shirt.
If when traveling, your suitcase is full with running stuff before you even start packing regular clothes.
If you have a shirt that says “Stop Pre”.
If your drawers are filed with more race shirts than regular shirts. Most of which you have never worn, and probably will never wear, but you keep them anyway.
If you have left socks and right socks.
If you drink more water than anyone you know and still have yellow pee.
If your cupboards are filled with gu, electrolyte supplements, protein shake mix and hundreds of water bottles.
If you have spare gels in every bag you own.
If you know charity “Fun Runs” are actually fun.
If you know 1, 3, and 5-mile routes from your house and work in every direction.
If you check the weather hoping it will rain on your run.
If you can eat an entire loaf of bread and not feel bad about it.
If you think it is appropriate to stretch in public places.
If you have diamond cut calves.
If ‘google maps’ or ‘map my run’ is bookmarked on your computer.
If you can’t wait to share your run stats with someone when you get done.
If you shave your legs, and you are a man.
If you know your running shoes are worn out, even if they look brand new.
If you talk to your bowels encouraging them to do their ‘thing’ before your run! -Lesli
If sleeping in on a Saturday is anything past 6:30.-Asa
If when boys get your number they save your name in their phone as “manda runner.” Yeah, NBD. -Amanda
If you judge others by their shoes instead of their clothes.-Dan
If one of your favorite things about going out of town is running someplace new! -Tanya
If you have more shoes than your wife… and you have lost ALL of your toenails ~ Scott
If you are afraid to eat dairy products because you have a long run tomorrow. -Rendi
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
What Are We Thinking?
What are we thinking? My friend Christy is coming in to town this Friday for her grandma's birthday party. While she's here, Christy, her Uncle James, me and my boss Sylvia are going to run the Legacy Midnight 1/2 Marathon. It starts at 10:00 p.m. on Friday night. I'm so excited because I didn't get to run with Christy when she did the Moab Canyonlands 1/2 Marathon, so now I'll get to race with her in this.
But then, I was on Facebook earlier this week and saw a guy talking about the Tour de Donut which is Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. It's down in American Fork. If you're not aware of what the Tour de Donut is, it's a charity bicycle race. You ride your bike in a 7 mile loop, then you stop and eat as many donuts as you can. Then you ride that 7 mile loop again, then stop and eat as many donuts as you can. Then lastly, you ride the 7 mile loop once more to the finish line. You get 3 minutes off of your final time for every donut you eat! How fun does that sound?
It sounds like so much fun that Christy, James, Sylvia and I are going to do it!!! It's literally gonna be like 6-7 hours after our 1/2 marathon. It'll be fun though! We're not treating it like a race though. It's gonna be a nice bike ride with donuts for us. However, I'll tell ya right now, I don't know if I can eat very many donuts. We shall see.
But then, I was on Facebook earlier this week and saw a guy talking about the Tour de Donut which is Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. It's down in American Fork. If you're not aware of what the Tour de Donut is, it's a charity bicycle race. You ride your bike in a 7 mile loop, then you stop and eat as many donuts as you can. Then you ride that 7 mile loop again, then stop and eat as many donuts as you can. Then lastly, you ride the 7 mile loop once more to the finish line. You get 3 minutes off of your final time for every donut you eat! How fun does that sound?
It sounds like so much fun that Christy, James, Sylvia and I are going to do it!!! It's literally gonna be like 6-7 hours after our 1/2 marathon. It'll be fun though! We're not treating it like a race though. It's gonna be a nice bike ride with donuts for us. However, I'll tell ya right now, I don't know if I can eat very many donuts. We shall see.
Can I Not Catch a Break?
Can I not catch a break? I woke up in the middle of the night last night with my nose super stuffed up. First thing I thought was "Shit! I've got a 1/2 marathon on Friday night! I don't have time to be sick right now."
So, I got up and took some Sudafed hoping that it's allergies. The Sudafed worked, but then I got to work this morning and took some cold medicine. That worked too! What the hell? Is it a cold or is it allergies? I sure wish I knew.
I just hope that I'm feeling better by the time it's time to run my 1/2 marathon this Friday night.
So, I got up and took some Sudafed hoping that it's allergies. The Sudafed worked, but then I got to work this morning and took some cold medicine. That worked too! What the hell? Is it a cold or is it allergies? I sure wish I knew.
I just hope that I'm feeling better by the time it's time to run my 1/2 marathon this Friday night.
Cache Valley Super Sprint Tri
This last Saturday was my latest triathlon. It was up in Logan and it was the Cache Valley Super Sprint Triathlon. It was alot of fun. It was hard for me though.
Why was it hard? I'd been sick all week and hadn't been able to workout. I've always been told that when you're sick, you need to just rest and let your body recover. Once you're over being sick, then you can pick back up on your workouts.
So, I was taking cold medicine and Zicam all week and finally Friday morning I felt really good. So that was the first day I worked out that week and my triathlon was the next morning.
I got up to Logan and we left a little late so I got a pretty crappy transition spot. I always like to be on the end of a row in the transition area and I was lucky to even find a spot.
A girl that I communicate with on Facebook (Lyndsey) lives up in Logan and she does triathlon's. She told me that the course was pretty flat and it was a quick course. I was looking forward to it.
We started out with the swim and I could tell the swim was taking me longer. I could just feel that I wasn't swimming my "a" game. I finally hop out of the pool and head to T1.
My T1 was pretty fast. It was like 1:26. That's one of the fastest T1's I've had, especially considering you gotta get your shoes on, put your helmet on, put your number on and put your sunglasses on, unrack your bike & run out of transition. The only thing I know about the bike course is that there is about 100 yds that we have to ride through and it's all construction. The race director advised us to either get off our bikes and walk that 100 yds or ride VERY slow through the construction area. I chose to just ride pretty slow through the area and it wasn't too bad. There were some very mild hills on the ride, but it wasn't too bad. For some reason though, I was just riding VERY slow. I was really disappointed. At one point on the ride I remember cursing and crying because so many people were passing me. I just don't understand why I ride so slow. I don't get it. The ride was an out and back ride where we had to ride out 6.25 miles and then ride back 6.25 miles. We rode out SO far I swear we were going to ride our bikes in to Brigham City. Lol. I saw parts of Logan I'd never seen before. It was honestly, just a bunch of farm land. It was pretty cool. The ride back to T2 was pretty quick. It seemed pretty quick.
I got back to T2 and my T2 time was AWESOME...if I say so myself. I hopped off my bike, grabbed a different water bottle and headed out on the run. The run was an out and back...twice. We had to run out 0.75 and run back 0.75 twice. It was originally just going to be a 3.0 mile loop, but part of the course was flooded & the race director said that if they would have kept the original course, we would end up swimming, biking, running and then swimming again there was so much water.
But...my run started out good. I felt like I started out pretty strong. I was actually about to keep right about a 10 minute pace, which I'm pleased about.
My final time on this race was 1:40:00.09. I was quite disappointed with my time. That is my 2nd to worst time. My worst time was my very first triathlon, but I actually don't even consider that my worst time because it was my VERY first triathlon.
But as we were driving home from the race, I saw an article on Twitter that helped me because it talked about what if you have a bad race. I gave myself time to be upset about the race, but then when I got home, I wasn't allowed to be upset with my time any more. And that's exactly what I did.
It was nice though, before we left Logan, we went and got ourselves some Aggie Ice Cream and the ice cream store on campus. It was DELICIOUS!!! I think I'm going to have to make that a tradition.
P.S. I'm not posting any pictures on this race because I look like a fatty in all the pictures. For some reason, whenever I can't workout, I lose ALL self control and eat whatever I want as much as I want.
Why was it hard? I'd been sick all week and hadn't been able to workout. I've always been told that when you're sick, you need to just rest and let your body recover. Once you're over being sick, then you can pick back up on your workouts.
So, I was taking cold medicine and Zicam all week and finally Friday morning I felt really good. So that was the first day I worked out that week and my triathlon was the next morning.
I got up to Logan and we left a little late so I got a pretty crappy transition spot. I always like to be on the end of a row in the transition area and I was lucky to even find a spot.
A girl that I communicate with on Facebook (Lyndsey) lives up in Logan and she does triathlon's. She told me that the course was pretty flat and it was a quick course. I was looking forward to it.
We started out with the swim and I could tell the swim was taking me longer. I could just feel that I wasn't swimming my "a" game. I finally hop out of the pool and head to T1.
My T1 was pretty fast. It was like 1:26. That's one of the fastest T1's I've had, especially considering you gotta get your shoes on, put your helmet on, put your number on and put your sunglasses on, unrack your bike & run out of transition. The only thing I know about the bike course is that there is about 100 yds that we have to ride through and it's all construction. The race director advised us to either get off our bikes and walk that 100 yds or ride VERY slow through the construction area. I chose to just ride pretty slow through the area and it wasn't too bad. There were some very mild hills on the ride, but it wasn't too bad. For some reason though, I was just riding VERY slow. I was really disappointed. At one point on the ride I remember cursing and crying because so many people were passing me. I just don't understand why I ride so slow. I don't get it. The ride was an out and back ride where we had to ride out 6.25 miles and then ride back 6.25 miles. We rode out SO far I swear we were going to ride our bikes in to Brigham City. Lol. I saw parts of Logan I'd never seen before. It was honestly, just a bunch of farm land. It was pretty cool. The ride back to T2 was pretty quick. It seemed pretty quick.
I got back to T2 and my T2 time was AWESOME...if I say so myself. I hopped off my bike, grabbed a different water bottle and headed out on the run. The run was an out and back...twice. We had to run out 0.75 and run back 0.75 twice. It was originally just going to be a 3.0 mile loop, but part of the course was flooded & the race director said that if they would have kept the original course, we would end up swimming, biking, running and then swimming again there was so much water.
But...my run started out good. I felt like I started out pretty strong. I was actually about to keep right about a 10 minute pace, which I'm pleased about.
My final time on this race was 1:40:00.09. I was quite disappointed with my time. That is my 2nd to worst time. My worst time was my very first triathlon, but I actually don't even consider that my worst time because it was my VERY first triathlon.
But as we were driving home from the race, I saw an article on Twitter that helped me because it talked about what if you have a bad race. I gave myself time to be upset about the race, but then when I got home, I wasn't allowed to be upset with my time any more. And that's exactly what I did.
It was nice though, before we left Logan, we went and got ourselves some Aggie Ice Cream and the ice cream store on campus. It was DELICIOUS!!! I think I'm going to have to make that a tradition.
P.S. I'm not posting any pictures on this race because I look like a fatty in all the pictures. For some reason, whenever I can't workout, I lose ALL self control and eat whatever I want as much as I want.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Las Vegas Ragnar
Me and my boss at work and a couple other people from work and some of her friends just signed up for the Las Vegas Ragnar! I had so much fun doing the Wasatch Back Ragnar, I can't wait to do the Las Vegas Ragnar!
It's in October and I know it's going to be here before I know it! Our team name is going to be Kicking ASSphalt!
Because it's not associate with work or anything, I think it's gonna be a TON more fun! I can't wait!
IMCdA in 2013?
Earlier this week a neighbor of mine posted this article on my Facebook wall about the Ironman.
I showed the article to my friend Christy that lives up in Spokane and she said that she thinks it would be awesome if her & I did an Ironman by the time we're 35. I had originally set a goal to finish an Ironman by the time I was 40 (8 years away), but after reading this article I decided that yeah, I could do it by the time I was 35 (3 yrs away).
Well, last night I was chatting with my friend Christy on Facebook and we decided that 2013 will be the year of the Ironman. Our goal is in 2013 to do the IMCdA!!!
That doesn't seem very far away, but I know I can do it! I'm gonna have to register in 2012 and it costs $600 to do it, but I think it would be worth every penny. Next year I'll have to do a 1/2 Ironman to get ready for it and then just do only Olympic distance triathlons.
I think it would be AWESOME if I can finish an Ironman in the alotted 17 hrs. When I do the IMCdA, my first hurdle will be to finish the swim of 2.4 miles in 2:20:00 or less.
I figure if the guy in this article can do it, so can I! I'm so excited!!!
Running Issues
I've been having serious running issues lately. I can do distance running, but my running pace SUCKS!!!
I've been running a 10 minute mile, if not a little longer. The other night after I rode my bike 22 miles, I went and ran 4 miles and it was at a 12 minute mile. Today I did my long run of 11 miles and it took me 2:06:00. What is my problem? I've been able to run faster than a 10 minute mile before.
Well, I figured out that part of my problem is my running shoes. They are CRAPPY!!! They are old and worn. I've put alot of miles on them. It was starting to hurt when I was running and I really hope this is the main reason why I've been running so slow.
So...today I went out and bought new running shoes. Of course I went to Salt Lake Running Co. I love that store! The people there are SUPER helpful and don't treat me like I'm a complete moron. So I walked out of there with these shoes:
They are a pair of Brooks running shoes. I've never had a pair of Brooks before. I've had Saucony and I've had Asics and I've liked those and but this time, I got a pair of Brooks.
The guy at SLRC put me on the treadmill and analyzed my running and I tried on 4 different pair of shoes and these were the winner. They've got awesome cushioning and support in the arch and in the ball of my foot. Plus, I will put an insert in my shoe that helps with the support as well.
I can't wait to break in these shoes and see if it helps my running.
I've been running a 10 minute mile, if not a little longer. The other night after I rode my bike 22 miles, I went and ran 4 miles and it was at a 12 minute mile. Today I did my long run of 11 miles and it took me 2:06:00. What is my problem? I've been able to run faster than a 10 minute mile before.
Well, I figured out that part of my problem is my running shoes. They are CRAPPY!!! They are old and worn. I've put alot of miles on them. It was starting to hurt when I was running and I really hope this is the main reason why I've been running so slow.
So...today I went out and bought new running shoes. Of course I went to Salt Lake Running Co. I love that store! The people there are SUPER helpful and don't treat me like I'm a complete moron. So I walked out of there with these shoes:
They are a pair of Brooks running shoes. I've never had a pair of Brooks before. I've had Saucony and I've had Asics and I've liked those and but this time, I got a pair of Brooks.
The guy at SLRC put me on the treadmill and analyzed my running and I tried on 4 different pair of shoes and these were the winner. They've got awesome cushioning and support in the arch and in the ball of my foot. Plus, I will put an insert in my shoe that helps with the support as well.
I can't wait to break in these shoes and see if it helps my running.
Upcoming Olympic Tri
As it shows on my little ticker time line, I have my first Olympic distance triathlon coming up on August 20th. I'm scared out of my mind!!!
Well, I was on Twitter and came in contact with a guy that used to live in Utah and now lives in Texas. He had posted that he just registered for the Echo Olympic Distance Triathlon. We got talking and I told him that I was getting ready for my first Olympic tri up at Jordanelle and he mentioned that he'd done that triathlon before. I sent him my email and he sent me notes about the course of the triathlon.
All I have to say is HOLY CRAP!!! If I wasn't scared before, I sure as hell am scared now. Below is the email he sent me. I will bold my thoughts of what I was thinking through the email. Now take in to consideration I've ALWAYS been terrified of open water and this will be my first open water swim that I haven't had any practice with.
"Ara,
Just took a look at the course map and it is the same as I ran a couple of years ago. This is a great race, but has a couple of twists that I wasn't prepared for, so here goes...
Swim...triutah likes to use the words "wave start" in all of their descriptions, but usually there aren't enough participants in the Oly distance to necessitate a wave start...mass start is the rigth description. Unless the water is low enough, which I'm sure it's not based on this year's weather, you will be treading water when the horn blows. HOLY SHIT!!! I know how to tread water, but my heart race goes up & I'm usually panicing while treading water. Not a big deal, but some people get in too early and tread for 15 minutes. 15 minutes out, get in, warm-up by swimming 5 to 10 minutes & leave yourself 5 minutes or less to tread. If you start all the way in the back you don't have to tread, but you add time to your race because you have to swim 50 to 100 yards to get to the starting buoys. I don't care. I'll add the freakin' time to my race.
The water will be cool, but not cold. Still plan on a wetsuit. OWS is intimidating, but the wetsuit keeps you buoyant, there are plenty of kyacks, and you know you can go the distance. Thank God for the kayaks. Long, strong, gliding strokes with big breaths-in AND BIG BREATHS OUT! Too many people start to breath really shallow and short when they get anxious in the OW. This causes your HR to spike, form to go to hell, and can actually cause other issues. Roll, breath, and feel like you're blowing your brains out your nose the first 5 minutes or so. LMAO!!! Pretty soon you'll settle into your pool breathing and the rest is history.
Bike...it's all uphill the first 12 miles. HOLY SHIT!!! Uphill 12 miles? Hills are my nemesis! I'm freakin' screwed! You're climbing out of the park, you flatten out and drop a bit, but then from mile 2 through 12 it is literally one, long, steady climb. I would so much rather have a short steep hill than a long gradual hill. God help me! Hope you're hitting your hills! I haven't been, but I sure will now! Not sure where you live, but I was living in Layton and had great long inclines heading North that were very simulations. Steep hill climbs are good, but for this one, find a road that just keeps going up. You'll love most of your descent, but remember it isn't steep so you're still going to have to pedal to really get some good speed. About mile 18 or so you're going to hit a short, steep hill that sucks! You already climbed 12, you've been pedaling another 6 on the descent & now you've got to bust it up a hill. The reward is a 40 to 50 mph descent on you're way back into the park. 40-50 mph?!?! I get scared going 25!!! After the descent it is kind of a rolling flat.
Depending on your cycling skills and how you choose to attack you'll tired legs or no legs. Choose wisely 'cuz the run has some fun surprises.
Run...Same climb out of the park as your bike. Not steep, but steady through the first 1.25 miles, then you turn right and climb some more up the highway. About 1.5 in you jump off the highway and it becomes a trail run for the next 1 to 1.5 miles. Not a big fan of trail running. I didn't realize it was trails and hand't done any trails runs. I enjoyed the softer impact, but my footing was all over the place causing my quads to really burn on the second loop. There are a lot of turns and short climbs on this part. You're doing an Oly so you get to do it twice. Yay me!
Just before mile 2 you come off the natural trails and hit boarded trails, sidewalks, etc. that have a lot of little turns. Makes it hard to get into a good pace and just cruise. Be sure to yell out if you're passing someone because there isn't a lot of room.
It says it on the website, but I just didn't pay attention that the Oly run is actually 5.7 miles not 6.2. Thank God! I can handle running .5 miles less. If you're assuming 6.2 then you're pacing will be off causing you to either run slower or faster than you had planned...hopefully faster since you have .5 mi less to go.
The short sprint to the finish is on grass, but as always there isn't a lot of room after the finish line. Be prepared to possibly charlie-horse if you've killed it because they stop you pretty quick to grab your timing chip. Pretty sure I won't kill it.
Weather...it will get pretty hot by the time you're off your bike. Hydrate good the night before and take in some electrolytes on the bike and run. I shall have a water bottle full of water & one full of gatorade. Plus my energy beans. Very little shade on the run course and none from about 15 miles in on the bike.
Aid stations...plan to carry a small water bottle to supplement the two stations on the run course. First at mile 1 and then one more on the trail portion that is really only feasible to hit on the way out to the trails not on your way back. This might have been adjusted now, but if I was to do it again I'd have my handheld with me, not for nutrition, but for cold water here and there.
Venue...pretty cool venue, but if you have friends or family coming it kind of sucks. There is not parking in the park. You have to get dropped off outside of the park and then ride in (buckle your helmet!). Well that bites! You could also park up at the church and have fun with the big hill as well. Friends and family park at a church a couple of miles out. There is a shuttle provided for them. Sucky part is after the race. They take the shuttle and you either walk or ride your bike out of the park to meet them at the front gate. Gee, isn't that just dandy! I've already swam 1 mile, biked 25 and run 5.7, now I get to ride to my car. Yippee!!! Just one more 1.25 miles for the day.
Sorry for the lengthiness. No worries. Thank God you provided me with this info. Hope that gives you some good thought and insight. I really liked the race and think TriUtah does a great job with all of their races. Sure we'll be chatting over twitter or otherwise between now and then, but still...GOOD LUCK!!!
later,
greg"
Oh dear God, I feel screwed! So, I'm now taking my bike out and doing hills. Now that I know I can climb one of the steepest hills in my area, I think I'll be ok with the bike & run, it's still just the scariest thing I've ever done! Lord help me!
Well, I was on Twitter and came in contact with a guy that used to live in Utah and now lives in Texas. He had posted that he just registered for the Echo Olympic Distance Triathlon. We got talking and I told him that I was getting ready for my first Olympic tri up at Jordanelle and he mentioned that he'd done that triathlon before. I sent him my email and he sent me notes about the course of the triathlon.
All I have to say is HOLY CRAP!!! If I wasn't scared before, I sure as hell am scared now. Below is the email he sent me. I will bold my thoughts of what I was thinking through the email. Now take in to consideration I've ALWAYS been terrified of open water and this will be my first open water swim that I haven't had any practice with.
"Ara,
Just took a look at the course map and it is the same as I ran a couple of years ago. This is a great race, but has a couple of twists that I wasn't prepared for, so here goes...
Swim...triutah likes to use the words "wave start" in all of their descriptions, but usually there aren't enough participants in the Oly distance to necessitate a wave start...mass start is the rigth description. Unless the water is low enough, which I'm sure it's not based on this year's weather, you will be treading water when the horn blows. HOLY SHIT!!! I know how to tread water, but my heart race goes up & I'm usually panicing while treading water. Not a big deal, but some people get in too early and tread for 15 minutes. 15 minutes out, get in, warm-up by swimming 5 to 10 minutes & leave yourself 5 minutes or less to tread. If you start all the way in the back you don't have to tread, but you add time to your race because you have to swim 50 to 100 yards to get to the starting buoys. I don't care. I'll add the freakin' time to my race.
The water will be cool, but not cold. Still plan on a wetsuit. OWS is intimidating, but the wetsuit keeps you buoyant, there are plenty of kyacks, and you know you can go the distance. Thank God for the kayaks. Long, strong, gliding strokes with big breaths-in AND BIG BREATHS OUT! Too many people start to breath really shallow and short when they get anxious in the OW. This causes your HR to spike, form to go to hell, and can actually cause other issues. Roll, breath, and feel like you're blowing your brains out your nose the first 5 minutes or so. LMAO!!! Pretty soon you'll settle into your pool breathing and the rest is history.
Bike...it's all uphill the first 12 miles. HOLY SHIT!!! Uphill 12 miles? Hills are my nemesis! I'm freakin' screwed! You're climbing out of the park, you flatten out and drop a bit, but then from mile 2 through 12 it is literally one, long, steady climb. I would so much rather have a short steep hill than a long gradual hill. God help me! Hope you're hitting your hills! I haven't been, but I sure will now! Not sure where you live, but I was living in Layton and had great long inclines heading North that were very simulations. Steep hill climbs are good, but for this one, find a road that just keeps going up. You'll love most of your descent, but remember it isn't steep so you're still going to have to pedal to really get some good speed. About mile 18 or so you're going to hit a short, steep hill that sucks! You already climbed 12, you've been pedaling another 6 on the descent & now you've got to bust it up a hill. The reward is a 40 to 50 mph descent on you're way back into the park. 40-50 mph?!?! I get scared going 25!!! After the descent it is kind of a rolling flat.
Depending on your cycling skills and how you choose to attack you'll tired legs or no legs. Choose wisely 'cuz the run has some fun surprises.
Run...Same climb out of the park as your bike. Not steep, but steady through the first 1.25 miles, then you turn right and climb some more up the highway. About 1.5 in you jump off the highway and it becomes a trail run for the next 1 to 1.5 miles. Not a big fan of trail running. I didn't realize it was trails and hand't done any trails runs. I enjoyed the softer impact, but my footing was all over the place causing my quads to really burn on the second loop. There are a lot of turns and short climbs on this part. You're doing an Oly so you get to do it twice. Yay me!
Just before mile 2 you come off the natural trails and hit boarded trails, sidewalks, etc. that have a lot of little turns. Makes it hard to get into a good pace and just cruise. Be sure to yell out if you're passing someone because there isn't a lot of room.
It says it on the website, but I just didn't pay attention that the Oly run is actually 5.7 miles not 6.2. Thank God! I can handle running .5 miles less. If you're assuming 6.2 then you're pacing will be off causing you to either run slower or faster than you had planned...hopefully faster since you have .5 mi less to go.
The short sprint to the finish is on grass, but as always there isn't a lot of room after the finish line. Be prepared to possibly charlie-horse if you've killed it because they stop you pretty quick to grab your timing chip. Pretty sure I won't kill it.
Weather...it will get pretty hot by the time you're off your bike. Hydrate good the night before and take in some electrolytes on the bike and run. I shall have a water bottle full of water & one full of gatorade. Plus my energy beans. Very little shade on the run course and none from about 15 miles in on the bike.
Aid stations...plan to carry a small water bottle to supplement the two stations on the run course. First at mile 1 and then one more on the trail portion that is really only feasible to hit on the way out to the trails not on your way back. This might have been adjusted now, but if I was to do it again I'd have my handheld with me, not for nutrition, but for cold water here and there.
Venue...pretty cool venue, but if you have friends or family coming it kind of sucks. There is not parking in the park. You have to get dropped off outside of the park and then ride in (buckle your helmet!). Well that bites! You could also park up at the church and have fun with the big hill as well. Friends and family park at a church a couple of miles out. There is a shuttle provided for them. Sucky part is after the race. They take the shuttle and you either walk or ride your bike out of the park to meet them at the front gate. Gee, isn't that just dandy! I've already swam 1 mile, biked 25 and run 5.7, now I get to ride to my car. Yippee!!! Just one more 1.25 miles for the day.
Sorry for the lengthiness. No worries. Thank God you provided me with this info. Hope that gives you some good thought and insight. I really liked the race and think TriUtah does a great job with all of their races. Sure we'll be chatting over twitter or otherwise between now and then, but still...GOOD LUCK!!!
later,
greg"
Oh dear God, I feel screwed! So, I'm now taking my bike out and doing hills. Now that I know I can climb one of the steepest hills in my area, I think I'll be ok with the bike & run, it's still just the scariest thing I've ever done! Lord help me!
Weigh In
Last week was a rough week. Like I said in my post about my Tsunami Triathlon, I had just got done running the Ragnar Relay & I was EXHAUSTED, so I didn't work out hardly at all.
A week ago today I weighed myself and I had only gained 2.6 lbs. I was pleased. I thought I had gained ALOT more weight than that.
This week, it's been a good week. I worked out every day this week. I went swimming every morning and then went biking and/or running in the evening.
It's weird because sometimes I can tell when I lose weight by how my body feels, etc. Last night I told my dad that I hope I lose weight this week 'cause I don't feel like I have.
After I got home from my run this morning, I weighed myself and I lost 5.8 lbs!!! Yay!!! It totally made my day!!! I feel like I'm back on track again.
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